DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A sudden downpour caught NASCAR drivers and officials by surprise, leading to a nine-car pileup Friday during qualifying for a Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Drivers were getting up to speed for qualifying for the Subway Firecracker 250 scheduled for later Friday night when a burst of heavy rain hit the backstretch before officials could wave a yellow flag. Mike Bliss' car got sideways first, and other drivers then began spinning and crashing.

VIDEO: See the Nationwide qualifying crash at Daytona

"We had no idea it was raining on the backstretch. It isn't even wet on the frontstretch," said Eric McClure, whose Toyota was heavily damaged. "I'm a little disappointed with all the technology we have that we didn't get any warning."

Also involved in the crash were Matt Dibenedetto, Ross Chastain, Scott Lagasse Jr., Blake Koch, Benny Gordon, Robert Richardson Jr. and Joe Nemechek. Lagasse's car caught fire briefly but the blaze was extinguished when Lagasse intentionally spun the car in the infield grass.

Lagasse and Gordon were checked and released from the infield care center.

"One of the most frustrating and odd things I've been a part of. Clear skies then a wall of rain and spinning cars. #floridaweather." Lagasse tweeted.

One of the most frustrating and odd things I've been a part of. Clear skies then a wall of rain and spinning cars. #floridaweather.